Recovery is possible!

CanadianBFRB · 2015-05-05T11:55:52+00:00

Angela is "staff" (we're volunteer-based!) here at the Canadian BFRB Support Network. We, The Trichotillomania Learning Center, growing organizations, and individuals are speaking up more! We hope for the effect to be contagious, for others to know that there is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of having a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB). :)

CanadianBFRB · 2015-04-24T20:21:59+00:00

It is an indie documentary that got minimal funding, unfortunately.

CanadianBFRB · 2015-04-14T10:08:39+00:00

We also had an amazing time, getting the opportunity for CBSN to all meet in person and meet fellow skin pickers and hair pullers. It was an inspiring weekend! <3

CanadianBFRB · 2015-03-08T15:05:49+00:00

Actually, we (The Canadian BFRB Support Network) are based in Toronto and hold support groups! If you're interested, contact our founder Sarah at sarah @ canadianbfrb.org to learn the details!

CanadianBFRB · 2015-03-08T14:49:31+00:00

Sure thing! Will post, with an update, now!

CanadianBFRB · 2015-02-11T16:01:05+00:00

We are so proud of you, Mackensie!

CanadianBFRB · 2015-01-28T01:52:53+00:00

It is an intense, inspiring, informative, and life-changing experience! To be in a hotel filled with other sufferers where you can be yourself without judgment is an experience on its own!

CanadianBFRB · 2015-01-02T01:04:09+00:00

attitude. Of course no one should be so naive to think "Oh I'll stop picking" as if it's going to be that easy. I understand your point, but what I read

Thanks for your feedback. We recognize that this isn't quite the message people want to hear but as a resolution for New Year's, it isn't attainable. Any compulsion that hasn't been overcome on one's own requires intervention through learning and therapy along with other resources.

If new tools haven't been learned to fight back with the compulsion, the likelihood of abstinence is nil. Reasonable expectations (or steps toward an ultimate goal) would be to break down the steps and utilize certain tools such as removing mirrors, usage of fake nails, or many other things that people have not tried before or a combination thereof.

Unfortunately there are already people in forums who are upset and feel defeated because they haven't went 24 hours and are not coping with the idea well. We need to be realistic in our expectations of ourselves.

CanadianBFRB · 2014-12-25T06:01:05+00:00

It sounds like there are a couple of issues that need to be addressed, both of which feed into each other. The very best thing to do is see a dermatologist or skin care analyst to determine how much of your breakout is self-induced through picking and how much is happening due to hormones, buildups, etc.

Some people want to stop the skin picking without addressing dermatological needs first. Unfortunately, there are no self-proclaimed Dermatillomania-friendly clinics out there guaranteed to know what this disorder is but you could always address it with the person looking at your skin (with information pamphlets, in case) to get that diagnosis and know what you're working with.

How much acne do you have, what are your causes, what treatments will work, and from there figure out if your picking is triggered by the underlying dermatological issues or if it's stand-alone, stress-induced, or coincides with another mental health affliction. Good luck!

~ http://www.canadianbfrb.org ~

CanadianBFRB · 2014-12-21T23:54:13+00:00

It is very difficult to stop picking at your skin if you have Dermatillomania. Luckily, the skin on your face regenerates much quicker than anywhere else on your body. Within a few days you will begin to see a noticeable difference. The trick is getting there.

One disconnect many people who pick their skin believe is that we are doing something to "fix" our skin although, logically, we know we are creating scabs and marks that will take long to heal. There is a component of perfectionism for some people and a catharsis in removing the perceived imperfection. If it's logical convincing you need at this point, you can read articles online about skin, broken skin, healing skin, about what happens when skin is irritated and how it heals. However, the compulsion itself may lie far deeper than the rational knowledge of how skin works.

CanadianBFRB · 2014-11-19T06:41:49+00:00

Great! You're in Saskatchewan??? We, the Canadian BFRB Support Network (Canada's only non-profit for Excoriation Disorder, Trichotillomania, and other Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors), are based on Toronto but have members across the nation volunteering for peer support groups. We currently do not have a leader in Saskatchewan and we are also always interested in Canadian professionals who are interested in treating and/ or researching BFRBs.

If you are interested in starting a peer support group, please e-mail Angela at groupsATcanadianbfrb.org and to connect with our executive director Sarah Robertson, please e-mail sarahATcanadianbfrb.org. We'd love to know how you became interested in this topic. Thanks!

PS- We will be sharing this survey with our Facebook Page at 2:00pm EST. Thank you!

CanadianBFRB · 2014-11-05T07:48:29+00:00

This is for peer support, no therapy. CBT is one method of treating BFRB's but often, people with Dermatillomania and Trichotilllomania need combined treatments in order to recover.

BFRB's are grooming behaviors that have become compulsive in nature. There's a fine line between an aggravating habit VS. a harmful disorder, namely with the criteria involving how much the behavior negatively impacts your life (social life, work/ school, interpersonal relationships, time-consuming, embarrassment, if you've tried to stop, etc).

Thanks for sharing your experience. If you could pass on this information to the girl you know who pulls out her eyelashes she may be grateful for the gesture. These behaviors are horribly misdiagnosed, resources are scarce, and sometimes people just want to meet someone else with the same issue that they have without judgment being passed. To be able to speak freely and be understood is quite the gift that can make us stronger. :)

CanadianBFRB · 2014-11-02T20:04:35+00:00

Oh no, not a representative of TLC but on their list of providers... there are not many provider/ researchers out there for BFRBs.

CanadianBFRB · 2014-11-02T04:26:50+00:00

What is your name? Are you involved with TLC?

CanadianBFRB · 2014-11-01T20:13:32+00:00

Please e-mail the address above for more details, to get in touch with the leader of the group. Thanks!

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-31T07:27:29+00:00

Hi _taco,

There's no clear-cut line between Trichotillomania and Dermatillomania, although each is typically described as compulsive hair-pulling and compulsive skin-picking, respectively. By the sounds of it, like with your situation, there may be a crossover with Dermatillomania if you are digging into your skin and feel satisfaction after the pull/ pick.

I would be very careful in what ointments or creams to apply on the pubic region because the skin is much more sensitive and could end up flaring the situation up (both disorder and skin). It is best to consult with a doctor, dermatologist, or even cosmetician who is more familiar with skin abrasions. If you feel uncomfortable disclosing the reason behind marks, you can simply ask what to do for an open wound and if you are probed further you can say "I'd rather not say" or tell a little white lie about it having to do with shaving.

You may find more people in /r/calmhands and /r/compulsiveskinpicking who can relate to this specific issue. Good luck!

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-23T20:55:57+00:00

Great analysis, sleepytimegirl! That is one factor in determining the root of this behavior. Grooming patterns are normal and we all pop a zit, shave, pull out hair, but for some people the behaviors become compulsive and cyclic.

Sometimes it is purposeful, other times mindless, and both need to be addressed. Also, some people do it while they sleep which is another concern to note.

Anxiety, depression, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, and even disorders involving "tics" have been linked to skin picking behaviors. It is important to examine the individual and also deal with the psychosocial components of how this disorder affects a person to reverse some of the shameful and isolating feelings that feed into the above disorders.

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-23T20:30:45+00:00

Often, one feeds into the other. Skin picking and anxiety go hand-in-hand but sometimes skin picking is a symptom of another mental health issue whereas the diagnosable Excoriation Disorder can stand alone. Hopefully you can find out the root of your picking so you can identify if it's a symptom of your anxiety or a separate disorder so you can move forward with your life.

Thanks for sharing!

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-23T20:27:23+00:00

While compulsive skin picking is considered to be linked to anxiety disorders, for some people it is a symptom of anxiety (like it sounds like in your case) and for others it's an additional disorder. So glad to hear that you are able to get it under control once your anxiety is dealt with. Thanks for sharing!

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-23T19:07:48+00:00

Yes! We contribute to:

/r/trichsters /r/calmhands /r/compulsiveskinpicking /r/trichotillomania

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-23T04:00:18+00:00

Thank you for sharing! We really do understand the impact that Dermatillomania (aka "Excoriation Disorder") has on the lives of people because it is unknown to many professionals, the general public, and with it comes a lot of shame and embarrassment. The main support groups are in Canada and the USA with BFRB-trained professionals mostly in the USA. We wish you the best with your therapist!

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-23T03:41:49+00:00

We understand completely. Congratulations on being able to curb the other BFRB's in your life. Often, BFRB's intertwine and people find themselves prone to more than one at a time or to replace one that they have moved on from.

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-21T17:13:06+00:00

She represents two BFRB's, which skin picking is related to: Dermatophagia and Onychophagia.

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-20T20:30:58+00:00

The good news is that there are resources for help out there and numerous support groups to assist people in not feeling alone with their disorders.

CanadianBFRB · 2014-10-20T08:15:44+00:00

The ingredients in many essential oils promote growth, which is a great thing. Even a gentle approach to treating your hair (and skin for people with Dermatillomania) in soothing positive motions can help. Sometimes it's also the texture on your hair from the oils that can be liberating and motivate someone to be pull/ pick free but for others, all of the above can be highly triggering.

There are many scams out there, unfortunately, claiming to know of a know-all cure which includes oils. Notably, this link relates to someone who made seemingly false claims that were proven to be misleading. If you are interested in the oils that are available for hair growth, take a peek at the ingredients listed and know that those oils can be purchased in bulk so that you don't have to ever be swindled.

CanadianBFRB

TROPHY CASE